Inside Edge

The Line Is King

Let’s face it, if your line breaks, you lose the fish. Choosing a quality line, the right type of line, and making sure you keep it in good condition are all key components to getting those fish to the boat.

You can improve your chances of landing that fish of a lifetime if you use quality line and change it regularly.

Choosing line can be confusing. All of the major manufacturers make a selection of high-quality fishing line. The best thing to do is try a few brands, find one you like and stick with it.

There are three basic fishing line types - monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. Each one has a characteristic that sets it apart from the other.

Monofilament is the most common and versatile and will meet the needs of most freshwater fishermen. Monofilament has qualities that allow it to stretch and float on the surface. The stretch allows you to fish a spinnerbait or crankbait with less fear of ripping the hook out of the fish’s mouth upon hook set. The floatation is great when fishing topwater. It allows the bait to remain on the surface, providing better action from the bait. I prefer 12 or 14 pound test but, there are times when you may need to go heavier or lighter depending on the structure or bait size.

Fluorocarbon line is my favorite. It is virtually invisible in the water, very abrasion resistant, and has little to no stretch. Fluorocarbon line gained popularity with anglers who finesse fish clear water lakes. The reason fluorocarbon is invisible in the water is because it absorbs water which makes it ideal for fishing deep diving crankbaits. I primarily use 8 or 10 pound test line.

Braided line has gained a lot of popularity over the years. Braid is best suited for fishing vegetation and heavy timber. Braid is extremely strong and has no stretch. I prefer to fish 50lb. test and a heavy jig or soft plastic when fished in heavy grass mat.

When fishing fluorocarbon or braid, rod selection is more critical. Neither line has the stretch of monofilament therefore you may want to drop down to a lighter action rod to prevent ripping the bait out of the fish’s mouth upon hook set.

No matter what line you choose, pick a good knot and learn to tie it correctly. I started using a Palomar knot years ago and still use it today. Many lines have knot-tying instructions that work best with it in the pack.

Get a quality line. Tie a strong knot. You never know when a simple bite may turn into the catch of a lifetime!